New Nissan Leaf To Spawn Other EVs

Nissan plans to expands its lineup of battery-electric vehicles by leveraging the next Nissan Leaf’s platform. Specifically, AutoCarreports the company is planning to produce a new SUV based on the Leaf, with a familiar name.

The report suggests Nissan will soon launch an electric SUV named Terra. The Terra will share its platform and powertrain with the upcoming new Leaf, likely an easy avenue to seize on surging demand for SUVs and gain EV credentials.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard the Terra name. The company revealed the Terra Concept at the Paris Motor Show that featured an electric powertrain powered by a combination of battery and hydrogen. The two power sources enabled it to be all-wheel-drive, while the name is a play off Nissan’s iconic X-Terra SUV nameplate.

Nissan’s new Leaf is expected to offer a battery pack up to double that of the current car’s 30-kWh, meaning a complete range in excess of 300 miles. This powertrain combination would be more than enough for a new SUV, but an SUV may need all-wheel-drive. While the Leaf will offer only front-wheel-drive with one electric motor, the Terra could add an additional motor at the rear wheels for proper all-wheel-drive.

The reports goes on to claim that Nissan is considering other electric vehicles to spawn off the Leaf platform, a strategy similar to that of electric carmaker Tesla.

About Nick Saporito

AutoVerdict Senior Editor Nick Saporito began writing about cars at age 13. Nick ran a couple of automotive enthusiast sites for several years, before taking some time off to focus on his career and education. By day he's a marketing executive in the telecom world and by night he hangs out here at AV. You'll find him focusing on tech, design and the industry's future.